Advancements in VLSI low-power design: Strategies and optimization techniques

Abstract

As production technology advances, integrated circuits are increasing in size, leading to a corresponding rise in power consumption if not properly optimized. Consequently, the optimization of integrated circuit power consumption has gained paramount significance. This paper provides an overview of the theoretical and research developments in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) low-power design. Initially, the paper delves into the components of VLSI power consumption, elucidating the origins of various power consumption types and the factors influencing their magnitude. Subsequently, existing power reduction technologies are examined, including transistor-level optimization, gate-level optimization, and system-level power optimization. The principles, applicable power consumption types, as well as their respective advantages and drawbacks are analysed. The paper also introduces methods for evaluating VLSI power consumption and summarizes the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of high-level power estimation and low-level power estimation. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of considering multiple power optimization strategies during VLSI design and discusses research approaches for achieving low power consumption. This comprehensive exploration contributes to the enhancement and optimization of VLSI design efforts.